A180's Lisa Ashton Retains World Darts Trophy 2016

A180's Lisa Ashton Retains World Darts Trophy 2016

Lisa Ashton retained her World Trophy crown with a 7-4 victory over Deta Hedman. Ashton, who produced a world-record televised ladies average of 98.85 on Sunday, continued her fine form to defeat three-time world champion Anastasia Dobromyslova 6-2 in the last four.

Hedman also progressed to the final in comprehensive fashion, reeling off six consecutive legs to defeat Rhian Griffiths 6-1. ‘The Dark Destroyer’ had dropped just two legs in the entire tournament prior to Monday’s final, and she made the perfect start by breaking Ashton’s throw on D20 in the opening leg.

Nevertheless, ‘The Lancashire Rose’ delivered an instant riposte, following up a fine scoring leg with D18 for a 13-darter. Hedman squandered two darts at double for the third straight break of throw, and Lisa converted 56 in two darts to edge ahead, before winning her third consecutive leg on D18.

Deta managed to stop the rot in the fifth leg, following up scores of 140 and 135 with a 48 checkout to bring the contest back on throw. Despite this, the 56-year-old was unable to restore parity, after Ashton registered her second maximum and converted D10 for a 14-dart break.

Ashton moved 5-2 ahead; following up her third maximum with D10 after Deta failed to take out 120. The two-time world champion then posted her fourth maximum to move to within a leg of the title. Lisa appeared on the verge of an emphatic victory, but she squandered five darts for the title, enabling Deta to maintain her slender comeback hopes.

Hedman refused to relent and she held her throw for the first time in the contest with a majestic 83 checkout on the bullseye, reducing the deficit to 6-4. Nevertheless, Ashton defied Hedman’s brave comeback by nailing D18 to retain her title.